You said: Special Activities Division (SAD) - this just doesn't quite sound right does it? In fact that's just downright sad...

The article said:
The units are part of a highly secret CIA capability, benignly named the Special Activities Division, that consists of teams of about half a dozen men who do not wear military uniforms. The division has about 150 fighters, pilots and specialists, and is made up mostly of hardened veterans who have retired from the U.S. military. [emphasis mine]

Considering all they have probably witnessed, "SAD" might be a pretty good description. It doesn't have to mean "guilty" or "psychotic" or "ineffective". I like to think that they understand, after all they've been through, that warfare causes miriad tragedies, big and little, even though you fight for justice, believe in your cause and love your country.

Regards--
Mary Anne